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State of the County
Posted 6-18-2003
Each year in June at a local
event, I provide an update on the "State of the County." This event, with
local business leaders, government officials, and interested residents,
covers aspects of county government, as well as activities taking place with
other institutions in Westmoreland County. This month, I am sharing some
elements of that update with you.
Many of the details of county
government I report in my monthly columns. I have written about areas such
as our Department of Public Safety's 800-MHz emergency radio project and
countywide re-addressing project. I have also reported on advances at
Westmoreland Manor and our conversion back to a traditional warden and
deputy at the county prison.
But in addition to the work
of county government, there are many other positives happening in our
county. An increase in the unemployment rate is never good news. But our 5.5
percent unemployment rate and only a .2 percent increase from a year ago in
a national economy that is losing hundreds of thousands of jobs demonstrates
a solid base to our county's economy. The 5.5 percent rate is also lower
than the national rate of 5.8 percent and is on par with the commonwealth's
rate.
Recently ABB, Inc. opened a
new 130,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in our Distribution Park
that not only will preserve more than 250 jobs that may have otherwise left
the county, but also creates the potential for additional jobs. Airo Die
Casting, a firm in eastern Westmoreland County, is expanding its facility by
50,000 square feet. The expansion will allow for 170 more jobs to the
company's existing workforce of 265. Premium Molding recently constructed an
80,000-square-foot facility in the Westmoreland County Airpark and currently
employs 70 people.
In the past year the Economic
Growth Connection -- an organization we work very closely with -- obtained
more than $14 million in business assistance for local firms, with a local
investment total greater than $108 million. New jobs total more than 640,
and 3,500 jobs were retained. More than $1.2 million was given to local
employers to customize training in their facilities and more than $500,000
in State WedNET funds to implement new skills during 2002.
There is also good news to
report from the county's institutions of higher education. Seton Hill not
only became a university, but also is building a new on-campus field house
and adding a men's basketball team. Saint Vincent College has undertaken
some major capital improvement projects, including the construction of new
dormitories and the development of the McKenna Business School.
Westmoreland County Community
College is nearing the opening of its Emergency Services Training Center in
South Huntingdon Township. The commonwealth and county are funding the
construction of the $7.5 million center. It will provide fire, police, and
emergency services personnel from our county, the region, and possibly
neighboring states an opportunity to receive the most up-to-date training
that will greatly enhance public safety.
The University of Pittsburgh
at Greensburg continues to be a positive influence in the community. Since
Frank Cassell has become president of the school, it has not only initiated
greater community involvement through the Smart Growth Partnership, but also
is actively promoting a better understanding and appreciation of our
county's rich history through Westmoreland Heritage. The organization is
improving education for students by having its curriculum supplemented by
studies of local history. Along with other organizations in the region,
Westmoreland Heritage will be promoting the 250th anniversary of the War for
Empire, often known as the French and Indian War.
Infrastructure improvements
continue throughout the county, though not quickly enough for my liking.
Route 22 is undergoing a major renovation in Murrysville, and the
Westmoreland Intermodal Center in East Huntingdon Township is slated to open
in a few weeks. The Intermodal Center will provide businesses within a
150-mile radius an opportunity to ship and receive products from
truck-to-rail or rail-to-truck. There are many other significant projects
taking place, and in the last year more than $3.4 million in Community
Development Block Grant funds were spent on waterline extensions, street
reconstruction, and additional public improvements.
So while everything is not
completely perfect (it never is), there is plenty to be pleased with in
Westmoreland County. Much of it we take for granted, and other aspects may
not regularly make the news. We can and will always try to do more.
Increased employment, entertainment, and education opportunities must be
developed to keep more of our young people here. But all things considered,
the progress that continues to take place in Westmoreland County is
something that should make us all proud. |
